The crowd loudly toasted Lord and Lady Lupton to the success of the new hunting lodge and gardens whilst Athena silently observed the group. Their work was complete, and it was time to take their leave to another contract.
She had enjoyed her time at Haddon Hall, although the stress of knowing Craig was pursuing relations with Lady Octavia had certainly dampened the past month.
Still the project had been a success. As usual, her vivid artistic designs coupled with Craig's knowledge had produced a dazzling success. High society wanted to embrace the creativity of metal sculpture and exotic plants from afar and shake off the Georgian style of columns and stark white stone.
"We must give special thanks to our talented designer and artist, our guide throughout the process, Miss Athena Thornfield."
She was startled out of her thoughts and gave a wide smile and polite nod to her hosts. The spring weather made her green eyes sparkle. Her curled brown hair shone against her open rich green overcoat.
Under the coat she wore a green floral linen dress tied tightly under the bust with green ribbon, highlighting her slender shape. A cusp of cleavage was visible from the cut of the fashionable neckline. Around her neck was a golden circular locket, the last trinket from her father.
"I can only hope our additions stand the same test of time as Haddon Hall, still impressing us all after one hundred years."
Lord and Lady Lupton beamed at the praise. She knew she had hit the right spot in flattering them, and anyone else in the crowd who wondered what her services could do to their ageing, unfashionable properties.
Her eyes swept the crowd and landed on a tall, dark-haired exiting a finely guided carriage. He was tall, with dark chocolate eyes and closely cut brown hair. His fine clothes fit like a glove, his wealth and breeding seemed to ooze from every pore.
Though Athena was from a privileged background there were few in the world as wealthy as the Fairfax dynasty. Money, power and land were dominated by their business interests. Baron Oliver Fairfax was the younger brother and had initiated the proposal for her next project. She had prepared the drawings and sketches based on his description and a portfolio for his review was waiting in her room. Felix, the older brother she knew by his wealth alone. Not a town in the country existed without a bank linked to his family name.
It was understood that he had assigned a full-time board of directors his trusted to run things. The money flowed to Felix but not the stress. He had spent his early twenties travelling Europe and now preferred to spend his time at Fairfax Manor, rarely engaging in polite society.
This enormous contract would secure her and Craig's finances for at least three years. Though they had significant savings they had no family estate to fall back on and so together they had resolved to make their fortune. Haddon Hall had been a success, their reputation continued to grow so why was she nervous at the sight of this dark-haired stranger.
“Baron Fairfax, delighted you could make it!” hollered Lord Lupton, the excitement in his voice at such an illustrious guest.
Baron Oliver walked briskly towards the gathered crowd as if unaware of his celebrity. Surrounding Athena was a collection of the regions great and good, Lords, Dukes, and other feted noble families. They all took note of his arrival with scurried glances and discrete whispers. The herd of braying, red-faced men all moved to offer him handshakes and pass their regards.
Athena realised she had stopped still as she watched him progress through the crowd and tried to occupy herself with something other than staring. She coolly observed his short black hair, dark eyes, and a strong jaw that the sparkle of youth could not render severe.
Baron Oliver made his way to Henry Lupton, the eldest son of her employers. He was tall with the same ice blue eyes as his sister Octavia. Athena was thankful Henry had not entertained her presence in the house with any flirtation. Lady Lupton had observed her movements like a hawk, constantly on the watch for impropriety.
As she strode into the house and up the stairs, to the pleasant sunlit room she had been allocated, her heart raced. This project would be her most ambitious yet.
They had only communicated via letter so far, hopefully, his arrival signalled good news. As she retrieved the portfolio of drawings from her bureau, she recognised the angry footsteps of Craig thundering down the stairs. A slam of a distant door told her he had gone out via the servants' exit and not joined the party. She saw Octavia tripping lightly down the stairs, their eyes briefly met but the annoyance in her eyes at being seen by Athena was quickly replaced by a fake smile and greeting to some friends in the distance.
Ah, she thought, definitely time to leave Haddon Hall. Finding no further sign of Craig she made her way back to the garden party and was swiftly captured in conversation by Lord Samuel Worthington. He was a typical middle-aged aristocratic heir with a delicate constitution. Whilst all the other guests wore light spring coats he was heavily wrapped up with a fur-trimmed cape.
“Tell me, Ms Thornfield, are there many women in your field?” he queried in a tone that was not complimentary.
“I believe I may be unique Lord Worthington"
"I have to say I find it staggering you take on such work" he muttered crossly.
"I find that to be a positive in this era of change and new thinking. I must be doing something right” was her bristled response, resisting the urge to go further.
“Hear hear” a firm voice replied causing Athena to turn around.
“Ms Thornfield” Lord Lupton announced like a prize partridge, “may I introduce Baron Oliver Fairfax, I understand you have submitted one of your enticing design briefs for Fairfax Manor?”
Athena maintained her composure and refused to be shaken by the grandeur in front of her.
“Baron Fairfax, it is a delight to make your acquaintance.”
Lord Worthington realised he was no longer required for the conversation and made his harrumphed excuses to leave. Athena found her hand swiftly grasped and a soft kiss placed upon the top.
"Enchanted to finally meet you after all our correspondence, I assume you have some final designs for me to review?"
"Indeed I do sir, may I assume you are accepting the contract terms?"
"Correct Ms Thornfield, I see you are as encouragingly direct in person as in writing."
His eyes sparkled dangerously as he gauged her reaction. Athena had dealt with his type before, men who presumed she was part of the deal.
"In matters of business absolutely" was the most pleasant reply she could muster, turning at smiling at her current host she recovered her poise "Lord Lupton may I borrow your study for a period?"
Suddenly Oliver Fairfax's good looks and easy manner lost their attractiveness and a feeling of sickly sleaze replaced her initial admiration.
The bouncing, jolting carriage journey carrying Athena and Craig to their new start at Fairfax Manor seemed never-ending. A journey of one hundred miles was a severe distance when trying to transport so much equipment, tools and design material. Though the cousins shared an intense loyalty, Athena had not confided in Craig about her concerns about Baron Oliver. The meeting in the study had seen no further attempts at flirtation and she had decided to regard it as purely a misstep on his part. She could not help but observe a sly grin on his face throughout her detailed presentation. His rich brown hair had shone in the sun glinting through the window and she shook her head at the recollection. Nonetheless, contracts had been signed to construct a vast lake complete with an ornate, romantic pagoda at its centre. The extensive mile-long driveway was to be replanted with vivid foliage and in Oliver's words
An early start saw Athena and Craig leave the inn well before dawn. Whilst he regaled her with tales from his new acquaintances from the Inn, it was her turn to be lost in her thoughts. Whilst she knew the tales Nancy Mellor had spun must be exaggerated she was still intrigued. Finally, the carriage arrived at Fairfax Manor. A long gravel driveway leads to a dark grey Gothic Manor house. Stark turrets and arched windows looked over the surrounding lawns, meadows and forest. Both Athena and Craig smiled in excitement as they approached. The change they were going to make was unparalleled. An arched double wooden door opened as they exited the carriage and two women stepped out to greet them. One in a black senior servant's uniform, her hair in a grey bun.
Athena dressed carefully for dinner, by trying to wear something charming, yet understated yet professional. Finally, she decided on a mint green and white dress with a wide white ribbon tied under the bust. Her hair was loosely up with some curls escaping and falling in delicate tendrils. As she waited in her quiet room for Lily to summon her, the impatience built to a crescendo. As the time neared nine, she accepted she wasn't being summoned tonight. Her embarrassment at such a start made her cheeks burn and her eyes sparkle. She headed out of the bedroom and headed to the kitchen to find her meal. As she strode down the corridor and quickly took the stairs she stopped at the sound of voices. It appeared to be a study where at least two people had retired for a drink and a smoke. Slowing her walk to minimise noise she headed away and to the other end of the hallway. A door behind her banged open sudde
A daily routine was established by the end of the first week. At dawn, Athena and Craig would quickly go over their aims for the day then after breakfast Craig would join the men in their labours. Athena would then be based in the library for her drawings and assessments or walk around the grounds trying to gauge the success of the designs from every vantage point. Any issues found or were hers to cost and find solutions for. Invariably Oliver would appear and entertain her with amusing questions about the design. To humour him she had produced a sketch of a maze area complete with a confused Oliver at the centre. He had guffawed and promised to show Felix. The mention of his name did more to her nerves than all of Oliver's flattery. Lily and Sophie, anothe
The Manor was finally brought to life the following Friday as half a dozen carriages containing the guests for the weekend's hunting arrived. Tonight there would be fine dining, music and entertainment followed by a dawn start on horseback. Athena too had found new energy. The manor had transformed as it hummed with activity, the grey stone walls no longer intimidating, instead, they were a welcome source of strength within the harsh landscape. Oliver assured Athena during their conversations she could borrow a horse named Tempest. His original promise of accompanying her to the stables had fallen by the wayside, however. She had not chased up his attention though, aware of the implications she could give by hounding him. Attempting to avoid the buzz of new
The evening’s festivities saw Athena worrying about what to wear, something she never normally cared about. Lily kindly informed her what the other visiting ladies had taken out for the evening so she could wear a similar style. Out of sheer relief, Athena had wrapped the gentle Lily in a hug, thanking her for preventing her embarrassment.She wore a tightly wrapped purple evening gown. Underneath that layer was a white semi-corset bodice that offered a good hint of cleavage. The sleeves were three-quarter-length but not puffed out as per the trend. Instead, they clung to her limbs, highlighting her youthful figure.Around her neck, she wore her gold circle locket, and her hair was styled into a stylish nest of curls with sparkling pearl pins placed within.
Stood silently at the top of the stairs Athena did not dare turn around. The severity of his voice had rendered her frozen to the spot. The sound of heavy footsteps climbing the stairs to reach her pounded in time to her heartbeat. Finding herself fighting a tingling sensation in her lower stomach in anticipation she kept her eyes firmly to the floor. He quickly completed his ascent. His pace slowed as he stalked around her silently, his body close to hers like a wolf readying for the kill. Her eyes slowly lifted from the ground upon seeing his black leather boots in her peripheral vision. Finally the footsteps stopped, he was stood directly in front of her, and her eyes slowly travelled the full length of his body to meet his own. His dark suit and waistcoat fitted his large figure, he couldn't look more perfect if he tried. Although his jaw was set sternly, his eyes an intensely dark brow
As the day started and the house buzzed once more with activity, both Felix and Oliver looked for Athena to appear for breakfast. She remained irritatingly absent and Oliver joked that perhaps she had run off to the nunnery instead of riding. Whilst some at the group had laughed Felix had stood up and walked away silently, disappointed in his brother. Partaking in the hunt were Oliver, Felix, Lord McDonald, Lord Dacre, David Buxton and Harold Lupton who had arrived late. Athena was the only female rider but as the men strolled out of the large doors chatting they found Athena already mounted on Tempest. Felix could not help noticing her excellent posture upon the horse, her green eyes shining with grim determination. Her hair was tightly pinned under a black bonnet glowing coolly in her ruby red tightly fitted riding habit that w